The DiscoverEU Interrail Pass is an app-based travel pass that lets you travel across Europe for 7 travel days within a 1-month validity period. Using the DiscoverEU Travel App, you can find and save train journeys across most European countries and add them to your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass. The app then generates the QR code ticket you need for each travel day.
This article gives a quick overview of how the DiscoverEU Interrail Pass works and what you can use it for.
How to use the DiscoverEU Interrail Pass?
You will receive an Interrail Global Pass by email, which you can use through the DiscoverEU Travel App on your smartphone (Apple/Android). The app lets you create your travel day tickets and manage your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass. All conditions of an Interrail Global Pass apply.
When activating your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, you can choose your 7 travel days within a 1-month validity period. For more information on getting started, check out this article.
With the DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, you can travel by train across 33 European countries on services operated by national railway companies and several private operators. You can also find country-specific travel guides in the app to help plan your journey.
On travel days, simply board the train and show the QR code in the DiscoverEU Travel App when requested by a ticket inspector. Some trains, such as high-speed and overnight services, require a seat reservation, which must be booked separately and may involve an additional cost. If you'd rather avoid these fees, check out these tips.
What are the conditions of my DiscoverEU Interrail mobile Pass?
With the DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, your travel dates remain flexible. However, your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass has an expiration date and specific conditions based on when you were awarded.
If you have been awarded in May 2025:
To retain your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass and participation, you must activate it by 31 August 2025. Your travel period can start between 1 July 2025 and 31 August 2026.
You must finish your 1-month travel period by 30 September 2026.If you do not start your travel period on or before 31 August 2026, your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass will expire and can no longer be used.
If you have been awarded in January 2026:
To retain your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass and participation, you must activate it by 15 March 2026. Your travel period can start between 1 March 2026 and 1 May 2027.
You must finish your 1-month travel period by 31 May 2027. If you do not start your travel period on or before 1 May 2027, your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass will expire and can no longer be used.
If you have been awarded in June 2026:
To retain your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass and participation, you must activate it by 31 August 2026. Your travel period can start between 1 July 2026 and 30 September 2027.
You must finish your 1-month travel period by 30 September 2027. If you do not start your travel period on or before 31 August 2027, your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass will expire and can no longer be used.
For more information about activating your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, check out this article. You will also receive instructions by email when you receive your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass.
Can I travel in my own country?
No. The DiscoverEU Interrail Pass cannot be used for domestic travel within your country of residence.
The only exception is for your outbound and inbound journeys, which allow you to travel from your country of residence to start your trip and return home at the end. These journeys can be used on two of your seven travel days. Your outbound and inbound journeys are activated automatically when you save an eligible train journey within your country of residence to your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass.
This means you can start and end your DiscoverEU adventure at a railway station close to home. For more information, check out this article.
What are the system and internet requirements?
To travel with the DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, you need a smartphone. You can find more information on the required Android/iOS version in this article.
Once you start travelling with your DiscoverEU Interrail Pass, Your mobile Pass needs to connect to the internet at least once every 24 hours. This allows our system to check that your Pass is valid and helps prevent fraud.For more information, check out this article.
If you haven’t been online in more than 24 hours, your mobile Pass will be considered inactive and you will not be able to use your Pass until you connect to the internet and open the app. Your saved trips and journeys will not be affected.